Day 5 – Tuesday, November 11: Sakkara, Egyptian Museum, Camel Rides, Pyramids, and Sphinx, Evening Flight to Amman, Jordan
This morning began with a departure at 6:45 a.m. (it felt like sleeping in!). Following a very full and eloquent breakfast (again), we drove directly to Sakkara, the oldest necropolis of Egypt. The weather was again perfect, with sun (as expected here) and highs around 80. It was our last day here in Egypt before flying to Amman tonight. We read from Genesis 50 and Exodus 1 as we left the hotel.
Sakkara
We beat most of the morning Cairo traffic this morning as we drove directly to Sakkara, the ancient necropolis of the Old Kingdom capital of Memphis. Here we saw the impressive Stepped Pyramid of Djoser (or Zoser). It dates to around 2,700 BC (conventional dating). It is the oldest of all pyramids (now totally 134), predating Abraham by about 700 years! After seeing the Stepped Pyramid, we entered a small pyramid for Unas from the 5th Dynasty (about 2350 BC). We also entered a mastaba (the tomb of Seshseshet Idut, c. 2345-2323 BC). Leaving Sakkara, we made an interesting stop at a local carpet school en route to the new museum.
National Egyptian Museum
We were delighted to spend about two and a half hours inside the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum. The museum cost $1.2 Billion and took 23 years to build. It is quite massive, covering 117 acres. It officially opened just last month!
While some of the artifacts are still in the Old Museum (i.e. the Merneptah Stele and the Amarna Letters), there are about 55,00 items displayed. We followed Moses (our guide) around this newly-designed museum. We made many biblical connections. We saw statutes of Ramses II, Amenhotep II (the likely pharaoh of the Exodus based on conventional dating), Thutmose III, the head and sphinx of Hatshepsut, colorful jewelry, to name just a few. The colors of some of the artifacts (e.g. the “sitting scribe”) were astonishing! The grand display featured the collection (5,400 items) of all of King Tutankhamen, including his gold coffins and mask. It was incredible. The museum is one of there best in the world!
Great Pyramids of Giza / Camel Ride, Great Sphinx
Next, we drove to the Great Pyramid (also known as the Pyramid of Cheops or Khufu and constructed around 2,600 BC), with the Pyramid of Khafre (or Chephren) and the Pyramid of Menkaure built shortly after. Two of them stand nearly 500 feet high. Most likely it took 200,000 men 20 years to build. The Great Pyramid was built with 2.3 million stones, with the average weight of each stone around two-three tons (the stones weigh between one and 60 tons).
First, we enjoyed a panoramic view of the pyramids as well as a short camel ride. No one fell off! Then we drove down to get a closer look at the Khufu pyramid. Many in the group walked in and up to the center of the Great Pyramid while others walked around the pyramid (each base is 750 feet long). Slightly below the pyramids is the Great Sphinx. It is 240 feet in length and 66 feet high. A stele (called the Dream Stele) was erected in front of it by Thutmose IV. It still stands there today!
“It was another amazing day! Seeing the Pyramids and Sphinx was incredible. The Grand Egyptian Museum was beyond spectacular! Sakkara provided more Old Kingdom history. Our time here in Cairo and Giza today was amazing!”
Airport/Flight to Amman
Leaving the pyramids area, we made a quick stop at an Egyptian cotton shop before driving to the airport. We checked in and waited for our 8:15 p.m. light to Amman.
We arrived in Jordan’s capital city where we secured our luggage and drove directly to the hotel. It was a late night, but we are thankful for the safe flight. The tour now transitions to learning about the biblical connections with Jordan, with our first full day in Jordan!
Day 6 – Wednesday, November 12: Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Mt. Nebo, Machaerus, Petra
